April 4, 2025
Introduction
As warmer days appear, many ORFA members will soon be shifting from winter operations to spring weather maintenance and upkeep activities. The following resources are offered as a reminder of some successful best practices that should form part of all seasonal outdoor facilities preparations.
Outdoor Signage
As our good friends at Intact Public Entities (IPE) always say, good signage is good risk management. Check all current signs to ensure they are well mounted, in good condition and include up to date information regarding policies, by-laws, or codes of conduct. Use of pictographs whenever possible is strongly recommended. Remember that signs must appear at all access points to be effective in providing this awareness and education.
Refer to: Review of Sign Guidelines and Manuals within the Canadian Parks Council
Underground Services Risks and Hazards
Facility managers should have a qualified electrician check all buried electrical assets, as electrical equipment ages, the potential for electricity to stray from its original casing increases.
Refer to: ESA - Underground Inspections
As a part of April is Safe Digging Month, Enbridge reminds owners to always call or click before you dig. Beneath our feet, there’s a whole world of pipes, cables and utility services which can pose a threat to workers and public safety.
Refer to: Safe Digging Month - Enbridge Inc.
Sports Fields Amenities & Protective Systems Inspections
Checking that all safety netting, protective backstops and spectator bleachers are in good condition, properly installed and meet current safety expectations is critical. Ensure that any noted deficiencies such as rips, holes, or sharp objects are recorded and repaired to ensure spectator and user safety.
Refer to: Baseball Field Netting for Ball Containment and Property Protection - Custom Netting and Nets by Gourock.com & ORFA: Sports Field Bleachers Risk and Hazard Guideline
Evaluating Outdoor Lighting Standards
Light poles and light fixtures in parking lots, trails or sports fields must be checked to ensure they remain safe and secure. Confirming that lighting levels continue to meet current safety and risk management standards, are properly adjusted and that all timers are in working order should be undertaken.
Refer to: ESA: Electrical Hazards at Sports Fields & Baseball Field Lighting Standards and Regulations: A Complete Guide – Slights Pro
Playgrounds Preparation
Playgrounds will require comprehensive inspections with all required maintenance activities being performed. Checking equipment condition, soil compaction and fencing are key areas to be considered for these recreational play places.
Refer to: IPE: ABCs of Playground Equipment Maintenance & ORFA: Applying the CSA Z614 Children’s Play Spaces and Equipment Standard Guideline
Splash and Spray Pads
Start-ups and regular inspections utilizing the equipment manuals or guides is essential and a requirement of O.Reg 565 - Public Pools. A reminder that local Public Health Departments must approve an aquatic facility restart. Routine maintenance is the key to a stress-free operating season and is positive evidence for Public Health officials for any required inspections of the amenities.
Refer to: ORFA: Risk Management Guidelines for Splash/Spray Pads
Asset Inventory and Inspections
Documenting all facility assets, including outdoor facilities and equipment, is a critical part of good facility asset management. Creating and implementing successful maintenance programs requires the use of detailed logs for inspections and maintenance activities. Whether manually or digitally, document the good work you’re doing! ORFA’s partnership with MARMAK provides a variety of tools and support services to assist members at no or low cost.
Refer to: RFAM (Recreation Management) - Marmak & ORFA Store: Logbooks
Staff Professional Development
The ORFA Buildings and Grounds courses includes all types of sports fields, turf (natural and artificial), parks, parkettes, playgrounds, natural forested areas, trails, extreme sport systems, water infrastructure and cemetery operations.
Refer to: ORFA: Buildings and Grounds
In addition, as many outdoor operations utilize seasonal and young workers, all supervisors must ensure that a detailed and site-specific orientation is provided to each worker. Whether it is a seasoned employee transferring assignment, or a student on their first day of work, if it’s a new environment, the same duty of care should be taken to educate the individual prior to them starting on tasks.
Refer to: ORFA: Recreation Worker Essential Health and Safety Training Guide
Conclusion
Recreation environments continue to be an ever-diversifying operational landscape. The ORFA continues to invest and offer information and resources to assist our members in managing these unique spaces. We hope that everyone has a safe and successful spring/summer operating season.
Additional ORFA Resources: